Leftover quilt blocks are something every quilter has. Maybe they are from a quilt that was started but never finished. Perhaps they are testers that were made to perfect a new technique. Whatever the reason, I always look at these blocks as special gems just waiting to be used. So grab a cup of tea and check out these 15 things to do with orphan quilt blocks.

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1. Make a Sampler Quilt

Sampler quilts are a lovely way to use up those orphan quilt blocks. Because they may be different sizes, there may be adjustments that need to be made to smaller block sizes. Sashing or borders can be used to fill in any gaps.

The quilt pictured was from a free quilt along that I did a few years ago. Instructions can be found here. As you can see, it is made up of blocks of various sizes.

2. Make a Mini Quilt

Whether it is for a gift or for personal home decor, turn that pretty block into a mini quilt. Because I make so many blocks for my videos and tutorials I make a lot of these and sell them in my Etsy shop or at a craft fair.

3. Make a Pot Holder

For smaller orphan blocks, make some pot holders. Instead of regular batting, use insulated batting. Make a pair of them and give them as a lovely gift. Not only is it a money saver, but friends and family enjoy getting a homemade gift.

4. Make a Trivet

Use insulated batting and turn a block or two into a pretty trivet for a dining room table.

5. Make a Table Runner

This runner was made with two “Flutter” blocks that I had made for a tutorial. I love the movement created by the diagonal lines and the project made a lovely table topper. Table runners are easy projects to make with orphan quilt blocks.

6. Make a Valance

While I have not done this myself, string together some quilt blocks to make a pretty window valance. It would be great for a sewing room window.

7. Donate them

Local quilt guilds and churches are good places to donate unused quilt blocks. Many of these organizations use them to make quilts for hospitals or children’s organizations.

8. Sell Them

Check out online selling sites or sign up for a local craft show. For a while I was a seller on an online auction site and my quilt blocks almost always sold. It was a nice way to earn a little bit of cash and clean up my quilt studio.

9. Embellish Clothing

Yes, I know that these aren’t quilt blocks, but it’s easy to jazz up clothing with quilt blocks. There are loads of tutorials that show how to add a block to clothing or to make clothing out of blocks.

10. Make Placemats

Placemats are a terrific way to use up some orphan quilt blocks. Make a set of four and give them as a gift or spruce up your dining room table.

11. Bowl Cozies

My mother-in-law made me a couple of bowl cozies and they come in so handy. Instead of using pieces of fabric, use a quilt blocks instead. It will give the cozy a unique look.

12. Use Them in Quilt Backing

I do a lot of pieced backings for my quilts. Why not add an extra quilt block to the back of a quilt. It adds a fun twist to the quilt.

The backing pictured is from a gorgeous quilt that I was given during a mini quilt swap at QuiltCon in 2026.

13. Make a Throw Pillow

This is probably one of my favorite ways to use a quilt block. I turned these two blocks that I had made for a tutorial into 12″ pillows. They look great in my living room.

14. Make a Tote Bag

Find a favorite tote bag pattern and replace a solid fabric with a quilt block. For example, this bag uses various blocks of the same size to make the pockets. Adjustments may need to be made, but the block can really jazz up the look of a bag.

15. Make a Zipper Pouch

Swap out a quilt block for the fabric pieces and make a fun pouch. I use zipper pouches in my purse, my gym bag and all around the house.

15 Things to Do With Orphan Quilt Blocks

So there are my 15 ideas for those orphan quilt blocks. Which one will you try?

Happy Quilting! – Claudia